COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11877, 31 January 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL.

,;. ; ■; New Zealand Herald Office, .': Thursday evening. Genebal. business; has opened up; very well for the first month of the year, the volumo of trade being a matter of surprise .to many who have for a long time been expecting to see definite signs of our having passed .the high-water mark of our commercial and industrial prosperity. The causes of our continued prosperity are still to a great extent a mystery to many who claim to be abreast of the times, and the full statistics for 1901 will be awaited with more than the';'■ usual amount of interest by thise who follow thegeneral welfare of the colony. There can be (no doubt that at present this end of the country is in a flourishing condition,, and wo can see no advantage in adopting the policy of the croakers, who are ready to declare that we are on the downgrade. Two prominent signs that are always taken as indications of prosperity or otherwise are decidedly favourable, viz., the earnings of public companies, or what often amounts to the same thing, the dividends annually paid, and so far as Auckland is concerned these are eminently satisfactory, the last few annual meetings of some of our local companies disclosing a state of affairs very pleasing to the investing public. The second sign is in the small number of empty houses in the city. New residences are being continually erected, and yet they are all taken, while the only adverse comment that could bo made in that direction would be in noting the rather heavy proportion of first-class residences that during the last year or two have been given up as such, and eventually taken over as boarding-houses or schools. The most that can be conceded to the croakers is that, as we know full well that period of prosperity go in cycles, now is the time to prepare for a rainy day. But while our Government have been sadly at fault in this respect, and have not used the fat years to prepare for the lean ones that may or may not follow, but have lived up to, and oven beyond, their means, instead of following a self-reliant policy, it is gratifying to find that individuals have not done so. Public companies have steadily increased their reserves, instead of booming for a time, when they appeared fully justified, except in the light of the possibility of less profitable years following, and in the other matter that we have mentioned even a steady and appreciable rise in rents, coincident though it is with a fall in the rates of interest, has not induced that wild and reckless speculation in landed property that has been tho ruin of other cities. Even the phenomenal growth of marvellous Melbourne, and the mania for building, which culminated in the appalling collapse of property values and the ruin of thousands of people some 10 years ago, has been of use as a warning. Going on steadily as wo have done, every five years better than the preceding, the timber industry for one has been capable of steady and permanent development. With no sign of any boom, the mills have gone ahead and increased their output to meet the growing needs of the community, until during tho last few years they have found it necessary to raise their prices, in view of the disappearance of so much forest, and although it was at first thought by many that this was purely a temporary move, it now looks as if these prices have come to stay. This is a much more satisfactory state of affairs than if a building boom had set in with the consequent rush and necessarily wasteful and extravagant felling of forest that would in a few years have landed us in a timber famine. As it is, the industry is in a healthy condition, even though the Australian trade is to a great extent blocked by the uncertainty that hangs over the Federal tariff. It does not altogether interfere with the export, for Victoria, must have kauri for building railway carriages and kahikatea for making butter-boxes, even though their export of butter appears to be steadily decreasing. We cannot altogether regret, if their requirements in this line should gradually diminish, as ours are increasing at a very rapid rate, and the supplies of kahikatea are limited, whereas wo hope that the supplies of butter are not.

The flax industry is in a particularly favourable condition, and, as mentioned above in another connection, wo can here again bring forward our plan of advocating a policy of preparing for a rainy day. Fortunately the Government aro doing their share in endeavouring to place the industry on a satisfactory and permanent footing, for permanency is what has been sadly lacking in the trade. It has in the past often experienced a few months of good prices, and up go the mills in all directions. The price goes down, and many mills are stopped. We are of opinion that the present policy is to take advantage of the scarcity and high price of Manila hemp in London (to. so establish the reputation of New Zealand flax that the demand for it will continue uninterrupted, whatever happens to Manila. Everything that tends to that end should be hailed with pleasure, and therefore wo welcome the action of the Government in instituting a system of (grading which will ensure uniformity of samples in much the same way as uniformity of standard under Government grading has been so beneficial to the butter trade. Of course, some temporary loss may be suffered by thoso private firms who have erected commodious warehouses for the reception, inspection, and sale of flax, but they will bo found the strongest supporters of any system that promises a regular market and consequent regularity in supplies. The next way in which the Government can givo assistance to this _ trade is by paying attention to the cultivation of the green flax, or, at any rate, to the preservation of what is already growing. We pointed this out lately in our leading columns, and as the price of this important article of export is so very high just now, it will probably bo found that those interested in the trade will bo able to devise some means of ensuring an abundant supply.

Our production of gold keeps up remarkably well, and again in this, without any of ! those disasters that almost inevitably follow a, boom, we see in front of us, under a "quiet and persistent system of development, the t possibility of gradually increasing the output year by year. There is no reason whatever why this should not take place, for we are fortunately free from sensational discoveries, and aro now depending on the almost boundless reefs which are being crushed and treated j under improved and scientific principles by companies sufficiently strong to successfully ! carry out the expensive processes that these principles involve. The output of gum continues satisfactory, and the prices are good, so that while we cannot look on this as a production that tends to the cultivation of the soil and the permanent settlement of the land, still it opens up in many cases poor land that would otherwise be useless, and in the handling that it receives from the time it is dug or found until it finds itself in the hold of a vessel bound for New York or London,' it is a sourco of profit and an undoubted' stimulant to trade. Coming to agricultural products, nearly everything is at improved values. There seems just the veriest, shade of an improvement in soma of the prices at the wool sales during the last few weeks, but unfortunately nothing to warrant us in very strong hopes. " Hides are decidedly lower, and while this counts against the butchers, and most likely reflects against the prices received by the farmers, it will give the farmers a better opportunity of producing leather at a profit, and will enable them locally to sell at such prices as will enable manufacturers to compete against importation, besides making the export trade, which is fast becoming an important branch of the industry, capable of more rapid expansion. Potatoes have been a heavy crop, in spito of the expectations of comparative failure through adverse weather conditions. With almost a drought through the spring, the crops seemed doomed, but a few weeks of rain changed the whole aspect of this and many other crops. The market has fallen considerably, and wo are now the lowest in the colony. * Onions will again be taken to America by this opportunity, and a few months of profitable export trade seems assured, as wo understand that the Sydney market has taken a big jump upwards. Our usual weekly article in another column shows lbo condition of the oat market and also maize, the export of tho latter to Sydney attracting considerable attention, as it was 'thought that the heavy Federal duty now levied on all imports to the Commonwealth would enable sufficient to be produced in Australia to make them independent of us. Wheat is, as usual, causing trouble to importers from the South, as it is difficult to understand why the market should bo so high, being above the price at which it could be shipped Home. A Southern paper states that there is an impression there that prices of milling wheat have been forced up unnecessarily high, for it is said that some millers there have offered high prices for'all small lines procurable in order to take them out of tho market, but have not-been prepared to operate on large quantities. But the market is in a similar state in Australia, whore, although the harvest is in, the value is given at 2s lid to 3s, so that there is evidently some strong influence to keep it at this level in the face of what they describe as a: "grand harvest." The wheat market will bo followed with considerable interest during tho next few weeks, especially in its relation to the price - of flour. - A decided advance has at Jast taken place in Southern flour, the Auckland t price being still below what the .Flourmillers' Association , aro reported to bo getting iu the South* go -

that merchants are awaiting the ; possibility of further moves, seeing that some brands are already in short supply. ; All the local brands of flour have advanced in sympathy with the firm tone of the wheat market, as it did. not pay to mill at the old prices. : "V : Oatmeal. has experienced an advance, ■ and is now higher than; it has been for-many years.' h-' : V .-'■■■;• _ '."'..' Considerable interest is being taken in the possibility or. securing 'a share in the. contracts for supplying fresh meat for the troops in South Africa, and if the War Office become acquainted with the- enormous quantities i: available".; in Australia ' and New Zeaj land, they will doubtless be found fully alive | to the .advantage of drawing, their supplies from, British territory. Fruit is being sent into the markets in enormous quantities, the consumption-being remarkable during the last few weeks. Plums have in many instances been sold at ridiculous prices that would not pay for cases and freight. Jam factories and fruit-preservers are consequently working at high pressure. Imports during the last few weeks have been particularly and our shipping report in another column shows an unusually heavy list of deep-sea arrivals. This shows great spending power on the part of the public. ;.

'■■' : - KAURI GUM MARKET. We have now to report arrivals fullv up to the recent average in the matter of quantity, but the quality of most that is now coming to hand is poor, and really desirable lots are very scarce indeed. . The demand continues strong for nearly all grades, especially so for good grades, and all arrivals find ready buyers. We do not quote any change in prices, but we would say, even more emphatically than in our last report, that owing to the inferiority of the unsortcd gum now being delivered the prices of fill standard sorted grades are continually rising, and are fast approaching a level that may prove prohibitive of business. So far, however, as noted above the demand remains strong and that for all kinds. The arrivals of gum since last mail left have been 480 tons, and the stock now here in the hands of sellers and shippers is about 2010 tons. We quote as follows: — White gum: Poor ordinary, £1 10s and upwards ; fair ordinary, £2 10s and upwards; bold three-quarter-scraped, free from nuts, £3 18s and upwards; East Coast, good quality, £3 12s and upwards. Black gum : Nuts, 12s and upwards; medium, free from sugar, 18s and. upwards ; good, £2 12s and upwards. Shipments have been made as under :—For London, direct, per s.s. Hawke's Bay, 59 tons ; per s.s. Delphic, 78 tons; per s.s. Rakaia, two tons; per s.s. Tokoa, 23 tons. For London, via Sydney, per s.s.. Mararoa, two tons ; for San Francisco, direct, per s.s. Sierra, three tons : total, 167 tons. The barque Saranac will bo loading for New York within a few days.

JiASK RATES. , BUYING ' SELLING. Demand .. ,-£ 7,} Domain! .. 1£ % 1 00 days .. §:% I Bis- SO days .. JJ 7, [PreSO days .. £% f count GO days .. J% ( miiiin todays .. lg-%/ 00 days .. J% / TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFERS TO LONDON.— li per cent., plus cable charges. Deposits.—By Bank of New Zealand: Fixed for 3 months, 1 per cent, per annum; 6 months. 2 per cent, per annum; 12 months, 3 per cent, per annum. By National Bank: Fixed for 3 months, 1 per cent, per annum; 6 months. 2 per cent, per annum; 12 months, 3 per cent, per annum j 24 months, 3i per cent, per annum. By Australian Banks: Fixed for 6 months, 1£ per cent, per annum; 12 months, 3 per cent, per annum. t PRICES CHARGED BY THE WHOLESALE TO DISTRIBUTING HOUSES: Ales and PORTER, duty 2s per gallon.— (in bond): Bass' Dogsaead brand (Bead's bottling, quarts, 8s 9d; pints. 63 9d; Foster's Bugle quarts, 7s 6d; pints, 5s 6d. Bulldog (R. Porter and Co.'s bottling), quarts, 8s 9d; pints, 6s 9d Franz Joseph's lager, quarts, 8s 9d; pints, 6s 9d. Dunedin (duty paid), quarts, Bs-.pints, 4s 6' 1 . Stoat (in bond); Guinness' .Dog's head brand (Read's bottling), quarts, 8s 9d ; pints, 6s ,9d. Foster's Bugle, quarts, 7s 6d ; pints. 5s 6d. Bulldog (11. Porter and Co.'s bottling), quarts, 8s 9d; pints, 6s 9d; Johnson's quarts, 8s; pints, 6s; Asliby's, 6s 3d; to 8s 9d. Anglo-Bavarian, quarts, 8s 9d ; pints. 5s 6d. Dunedin (duty paid), quarts, 8s; pints, 4s 6d. BUILDING MATERIALS.— K.B. and White's 14s 6d. Slates: English Countesses are worth £12 to £13. Plaster of Paris, 14s to 16s. All these quotations nominal. Firebricks, 2*in £3, 3in £9, less trade discount, BAGS AND BAGGlNG.—Calcutta full weight woolpacks, Hid lb. bale 2s lid: less 2s 2d to 2s 3d; cornsaeks, 4Sin. 5s 9d; 44in, 5s 6d; Hessian bags, 2s 7d to 4s 6d. ■ ? EREADSTUFFS AND GRAIN— roller flour, in sacks. £7 2s 6d to £8 ss, less usual discounts; 100's and 50's in proportion to extra bagging. Southern wheat, milling, 3s to 3s Id, f.0.b.,' Southern ports, according to quality, sacks extra. Bran, £0 ex store. Sharps. £5 10s. Maize, ex wharf, 2s sd. Oatmeal. 25's, £13 10s; 7's, £15. Barley for malting, 2s 9d to 3s 6d; feed, 2s Gd to 2s 9d. Oats, ex wharf. 2s lOd to 3s Ojd. , Oats, ex store, 3s Id to 3s 2d. Pearl barley, £18 10s. Spiff peas. £12 10s. Cabin bread, £13 per ton. Settlers' bread, £15. COAL.—Newcastle, ship's side, 24s 6d; delivered, £1 13s; Hikurangi Coal Co., 8s 6d f.o.b. Whangarei; ..." Taupiri Steam, at mine, 9s; do., household, delivered, £1 6s. CORDAGE — Manila hemp rope. all sizes, Auckland-made, best, £77 10s; New Zealand flax rope, all sizes, £51; clothes lines, 6d per lb, subject to trade discount; point spun yarn, £59; twine, shop. d.p. per lb, Bid to Is 2d; sewing twine, lOd to Is 6d per lb., COFFEE AND SPICBS, per Ceylon coffee plantation. No. 0, Is 7d; No. 1, Is 6d; No. 2, Is sd; No. 3, Is 4d; Mocha, la 7d; ditto. Island, Is 2d; chicory, 36s per ewt in tins; Symington's Essence of Coffee, 12s 6d; local, 10s. "Cocoa: Fry's, Is 3d; Van Houten'S, 3s 3d; Epps', Is 4|d; Caclbury's, Jib, 9s 6d, Jib 183 6d, lib 35s 6d; Kowntrce's, 3s 3d. "Chocolate: Fry's. Is 3d; Vi-Cocoa, 3oz 7s 6d; 4»oz, lis; 9ioz, ' 22s per dozen. Spices: Cloves, lOd; bleached ginger, 10d; nutmegs, Is 9d to 2s; cinnamon, 2s 3d; black pepper, whole, in bond, 9d; white, do., Is; chillies. Is. CONFECTIONERV.— boiled. 3Jd ; dry goods, 4tl, less trade discount; gum jujubes. Is; jelly ditto, 7id; Keiller's assorted confections. 7id; Gray's, 8d; candied, lemon peel, d.p. (duty. 3d per lb), 9d; orange, lOd to lid; citron, Is 3d; local, from 4? 2 d for lemon to Is for citron; Terry's ju- , jiibes. Is Id, Denholm's, Is 2d; Keiller's fruit Utilities, Is 4d: Jib chocoiato creams, 4s 6d; cream sticks, Is 3d; chocolate sticks. Is 4d. GUM. FLAX. White Gum: Poor ordinary, £30 and upwards; fair ordinary, £50 and upwards; bold, three-quarter-scraped, &ee from nuts, £78 and upwards; East Coast, . best quality, £73 and upwards; re-scraped, £118 and upwards. Dark gum: Nuts, sifted, £13 and upwards; medium, free from sugar, £18 and Upwards; good, £33 and upwards. Flax: Fine, clean Auckland, f.0.b., £29 103; good fair average quality, f.0.b., £26 10s; tow, £4 ,10s per ton. Oocoanut fibre, per ton, £20. Copra, per ton, £12 10s. Fungus, 3Jd. 'IRONMONGERY.—GaIvanised corrugated- iron, (duty paid, £2 per ton), basis. £19 to £19 10s, English bar iron, per ton, £10 10s basis; galvanised fencing wire, 6 to 8 gauge, £11 10s to £12 10s; English barb wire. £15 10s; American, £14 10s; English pig iron. £5 ss; pig lead £15, sheet lead, £20; zinc, £35; I.C. coke tin plates, 20in by 14in. 18s; blasting powder, 8d; muntz metal, 9d; quicksilver, 3s. JAMS. DRIED FRUITS. ETC.—C. and B. Marmalade, lib, d.p., 6s 6d; Keiller's marmalade, lib, d.p., 7s'3d; Phoenix and St. George, Dunedin. 5s 6d; Nelson (New Zealand). 5s 9d: Auckland-made, lib tins, ss; lib glass 63 9Jd; English, 6s 6d; Smyrna sultanas, s£d; American, Malaga muscatels, lOd; denies, sd; currants, 33d; Californian prunes, 6d; dried apples, 8d; dried apricots, Bid; seeded raisins, lib packets, 7d. ;. LEATHER AND HIDES.—SoIe leather, 9UI to Is 6d per lb; kips. Is 3d to Is 6d; runners. Is 3d to Is 6d lb; black harness. Is 2d to Is sd; brown harness. Is 4d ; calf, colonial, 2s 6d, . basils, 8d to lid per lb; skirt, 17s to 20s per side ; closed uppers, 4s 6d to 83 6d per pair; hides, ox, 3d to 4gd per lb; stout ox, 4Jd to 53d; cow. 31d to 4Jd; calfskins, 3Jd to 4}d per lb; sheepskins, Is 3d to 2s 6d. , Manures.—Australian bonedust, £4 to £4 ss; Auckland, £7; superphosphate of lime. £5 ss; bone flour, £7 15s; superphosphates. Anglo Company, £4 15s; cocoanut oil cake, £5 10s; kainit, £4 ss. New Zealand Drug Company's manures: A suporpnosphato. £5 15s per ton; bonedust, Btaamed. £7 ss; bonedust, green, £7 15s; bonedust and blood, £6 15s; root manure, £7 Gs; grass manure, £7; potato manure, £7 ss; turnip manure, £7; corn manure, £7; maize manure, £7 ss; orchard manure, £7 15s; onion manure, £7 15s; clover manure, £7; sulph. of ammonia, £16 10s; Coral Queen guano, £4 15s. MALT AND Colonial, 4s 9d to 53,. Hops: Nelson, brewers', B£d to lOd; grocers' hops, packets, 8d to lOd; Californian ditto, lid. OILMEN'S STORES, ETC.—Price's National, 6Jd; Battersoa Wax, 6id; Price's London Wax, 61dj Price's self-lilting, lid; Price's carriage, 'local sperm, Aid to 5d ; wax, sijd to 6d; mining, 63d; local blue mottled soap, £22 per ton; carbolic, £28; best yellow, £25; National, £22; double Crown, £2); Golden Crown, £18 ;

household, £14 to* £16 ; soft soap, in tins, Gel per lb; toilet, 7d per lb; —all subject to trade discount. Salt: Black ■Horse, fine, .£3 15s, coarse, £3 10s; other brands, fine £3, coarse £2 10s; rock salt, £5; Jordan almonds, 2s 3d; Blacking Paste, Day and Martin's, 3a 6d ; local. 3a 6d; Colman's starch.. No. 1 (duty, 2d per lb), white, 46s 6d; lib pictorial, 535; local, 37s ; 50 case lots, 355. Mustard, d.p.: Colman's, lib tins (DSF), 17s 6d; halfditto, 9a; Jib tina, sa;, Keen's DSF, Bame price; Colman's, 71b tins '■■ (green), Hid; " • •-. Bwliitt'e Circular, 7s fid, J**

gross; Bag. 8s 3d ; Column's Azure, BJd per i lb ; Reckitt's Square, 81d ; Keen's square, 81d. Matches: Vestas, d.p., Bry» .ant -: and '-May's, 250's, •. ■ per - gross, - 16s" ; R. Bell" ' and ' Co.'s. " 250's, 14s 6d; by. 1 the ' case; : plaids, 3s 4*d; other brands, 3s 2id to 3s 4d; cardboard vestas, 8s 6d. Oil: Castor in pints, 7s; half-pints, 4b. ■= Salad: C. and B. f quarts, 275: pints, 14s 6d: half-pints, 8s 6ct; orton',B, pints. 8s 6d; half-pints, ss. Pickles: Crosse '- and '- Blackwell's, pints, ' 17s - 6d; •■ Gillard's 17s6d : ;Capt. White's, 14s 6d ? and 24s ; Morton's, 12s 6d ; local, 7s 6d ; Flag ; Brand. ■' Bs, 5 cases, 75,--, 9d ; :Rice,?: No.'S 1, ■' Polished, Japan, £15 10s; ditto, ground, '.2*d. '-'"■ Sauces: Lea and Perm's. ::halfpints, 13s 6d; pints, 255; Gillard's halfpints. 7s i 6d; Mellor's, ; half-pints, £s; pints,,'; 14s ; , Holbrook's, quarterDints', 7s ; : half - pints, :; lis ; ,* pints, 225; GoodaU's Yorkshire Relish, ' •-. 7s. Vinegar, d.p.; balk. Champion's, per gallon, 2s; Sarson s, Is lOd; Holbrook's. Is lOd; Burnett's. Is lid; Potts'. Is lOd; local. Is to Is 3d. Vinegar: Case. C. and 8., 9s; Champion's, 9s; Burnett's, 7s 6d; Morton's, 8s 3d; Stephen's. Gloucester, 6s 9d; local, 4s to 53; Hill's and Underwood, bulk. Is lid; case, 7s. Treacle, bulk, lis '6d; golden syrup, bulk, • 15s: tapioca,;; £15; sago, £14. - Cornflour:Maize. 2£d d.p.; Clement's. 2sd: Brown and Poison's patent, 6*d; Indian, sjd; W. Polson's Indian, 4*d Preserved milk: Nestle's. 6s9d; Milkmaid. 6s; local brands, 3d. Tartaric acid, in jars. Is 6d; in keg. Is 4d; cream of tartar, in jars, Is 2d; in bulk, lid; bicarb. soda, 10s; local : soda crystals, ■, £5 10s; whiting, £5 * '

OILS AND PAINTS.—Duty, 6d a gallon. Colza, in drams; 4s 9d ; bulk, 4s 3d; linseed, boiled, drums, 4s 8d; bulk, 4s sd; raw, drums, 4s 6d; bulk, 4s 2d; castor, :in drums,- 3s 9d; half-cases. 3s 7Jd. Kerosene. 150 test, case, 7s 2d to 7s 6d; genuine white lead, ground, per cwt. £6lb and 281b, 32s and 345; red lead, dry, 345, in 281b; zinc, white, 383- to---- 445. Oil colours, assorted, £2 -to £2 5s per cwt. American turps, os 3d; resin, £6 15s to £9, according to grade. Varnish, oak. 8s to 15s; copal. 12s 6cl to 255; Benzine, Is 6d. : Naphtha, 2s lOd. Gasoline, 3s 6d. Quotations , regulated by quantities and qualities. t

Provision?.—Cheese: Factory. 41d to 51d: dairy, 3Jd--.to 4|d. Good keg .'but-, ter, " 8d ; seoond quality, 6d; factory, lid. Eggs, IOJd. Bacon, sides only, 6'id -to 7Jd; hams only, 73d to :: B£d. Fish (duty. 10s per cwt); Ling. 6]&d; boneless... cod, ?, 6Jd ; ;,..-preserved red ' herrings, in tins, 53s per dozen tins (each 24 fish); white, 42s per dozen; fresh herrings, 6s 3d; Findon haddocks. 10s; lobsters. New Zealand, 10s 6d: Digbv chicks, 9s 6d ; salmon, lib, Cocktail, lis ; Alaska, 7s 6d to 8s 6d; British Columbia, 8s 6d to 9s 6d ; salt salmon, sd; sardines, quarters, 3s ■;'.■ 3d to 6s 3d; halves, 6s to 9s 6d, according to ' brand: oysters, 8s; mullet, 5s 3d, 25 cases ss; whitebait, lis; boiled rabbit, 9s. 6d; corned beef. 12s 6d ; sheep tongues, lib tins, 12s 6d to 14s 6d, according to brand; 21b, 235.

SUGARS.—Duty, id per lb. Colonial Sugar Company's Auckland* Refinery, d.p.. No. 1, £20 10s; No. 2, £19 15s; No. 3. £18 ss; Cubes. £23; Queensland yellows, £18. Molasses, £5.

SPIRITS (in bond).—Duty, 16s per gallon of proof spirits in bulk or case. -Brandy: Konver. Gouillot, and Co.. 255; Gilbey'sUniversal brandy, flasks' 28s, J-flasks, 30s; Hennessy's, case, one star, 375: three star, 51s; Bisquit, Dubouche, and Oo.'s, pa.e. in hhds., 7a, quarter-casks 7s 6d, octaves 8s; Bisquit, Dubouche and Co.'s case, 255; Boomerang, Australian, bulk 7s 6d, caso 225; ChateauTanunda. case, 225. Whisky, bulk: Walker's WW, 8s 6d; Usher's SR, 10s 6d; Usher's 0.V.G., 8s; D.C.L., old, 5s 6d ; very old, 8s 6d; VOS. 103 6d; case. Old Scotch, 18s: very old. 225; VOS. 265: Gaelic. i"2s; Buchanan's House of Commons, 225; j Robertson's three star, 28s: Dunville's, 20s; i Dunville's special liqueur, 32s ; Gilbey's j Viceroy (Irish). 20s ; Jamieson's (Irish), one star,. 25s ; -three star, 32s : Teacher's, 25s ; ' Walker's W.W, 22s ; Usher's j SB. 23s fid; Usher's O"VG, 21s; Usher's OVG, ! flasks, 28s, half-flasks 355; White Horse, 225; , Uam Var, 203; Gilbey's Strathmill, 225; Braemar. 18a; BOBS, 20s; LL, 22b 6d to 235; Cambus, 16s; Gordon's, 15s; Dewar's, 21s; Haig and Haig,. 22s ; Geneva, proof, 4 gallons, .TDKZ, 20 bottles, 18s 6d; under proof, 16s 6d; schnapps, Wolfe's .quarts,' 245, pints, 25s 6d ; Gilbey's Silverstream, 18s; Gilbey's dry gin, 143 ; Tower dry gin, 12s ; Distillers' Company. 14s: Burnett's Old Tom. 14s; Gilbey's Old Tom. 13s; Lowndes' rum, 30 0.p., 4s 9d in hhds., 5s in quarter-casks, 5s 3d in octaves ; Key, 22s per case ; Gilbey's Governor-Gene-ral rum,'2os per case Champagne.' d.p.: Poinmery, quart 120s, pint 1255; Heidsieck. quart, 1255, pint, 130s; ■ < Ayala, ■: ■ quart 115s, pint 120s; Australian . wines, i quart. 335; Gilbey's port and sherry, d.p., 365, 455, 555, and 755, according to grade. ' TlMßEß,—Quotations are as follows.-— timber, at East Coast and Auckland mills: Ordinary building timber,- undressed. 100 ft, first-class 15s. medium . 12s 6d, secondclass 9s 6d ; flitches, all heart. 14s, flooring boards, dressed, p.t.g., first-class 17s, medium 14s 6d, second-class lis 6d ; lining boards. p.t.e., beaded, or V-jointed, firstclass 16s 6d, medium 14s. second-class lis; rusticated weatherboardirigv first-class 17s. medium 14s 6d, second-class lis, ( 6d ; boat boards, nlaned two' sides,. gin 359 6d Jin, . 16s. For widths over 12in. ; 6d extra . per I inch 'per ,: 100 ft!: is charged, and for lengths over 24ft extra prices are charged. Logs, 4s to 6s 3d, according to girth. ■''~■. TOBACCO.—Duty. 3s 6d. Ruby Aromatic, 2a 6d; Victory, is lOd to 2*; Juno, black, all shapes. Is 3d to la 4id; Ascot, Is 6d; Derby, ten cases Is 7d. sinsrle cage la Bd, box 1* 9d; , Venus, Is 6d; Golden Eagle, red, ; 2s 4d ; Yellow, 2s 3d ; Welcome Nugget, > 2s 6d; black twist, 26 to lb. Is; Golden Eagle, \ 4oz tins, 3s: 2oz tins, 3s 3d; Wills' <i Capstan, full and medium, 4oz tins, 3s; 2oz tins, 3s 3d; -j mild. 3d more; Melrose cigarette-tobacco. 2oz packets, d.p., 7s; Old Judge, ditto, Bs. TEAS (in —Dar.ieeling. scarce ; good to fine qualities difficult to obtain, say, Pekoes,; Is 4d to Is 6d ; Pekoe Souchongs, fine, * lOd ' to Is; finest. Is to Is.2d; Dooar, good medium Pekoe Souchongs, 9d to lOd; Ceylon, ! fine Broken Orange Pekce are scarce, medium to , fine, Is .:3d to ; Is 4d;; finest. Is 8d to '.'-; Is lOd; medium Broken Orange Pekoe, lid to Is 2d: Broken Souchong and Pekoe Souchongs. 7d to Bd. Fannings, good medium, say, 9d to lOd. BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS. ' -"— o „ ' BIRTHS. BULL.—On January 28, at Ardstrath, Bemuera, the wife of Harold C. Bull of a son. CREEKE.—On January 13. 1902. at the residence of Mrs. Lang, Norfolk-street, Ponsonby, the wife of Geo. Creeke of a daughter. DE GROEN.—On January 13, at Gundrystreet, the wife of Alfred -De Groen of a son. ' DEVEREUX— Monday, January 20, the wife of H. B. Devereux, Waihi, of a daughter. HICKEY.—On January 21,. at her residence, View-street, Newmarket, tire wife of James Hickey of a son. ■ _ . * ■: JONES.— January 8, at Hawksburn, Mel-' bourne, the wife of the Rev. J. Farquharson Jones of a son. MACDONALD.—On Monday, January 13, the wife of A. V. Macdonald, Parnell, of a son. ■'";.- . ( .. ; ~ ■; • ;.•-. WARNER.— Hawera, Taranaki, N.Z., on Monday, the 15th inst., the wife of Francis Ashton Warner of a son. WISHART.— November 15, 1901, at Te One, Chathams, the wife of Elvyn Wishart, of a daughter. YOUNG.—On January 6, at " Rosencath," Cheltenham, Devonport, the wife of E. Young .of a son. ■'/- - MARRIAGES. , ". BIGELOW-ROBINSON.— Novemeber 27, 1901, at the Baptist Church, Ponsonby, by the Rev. A. H. Collins, William Bigelow, of New Plymouth, eldest son of J. S. Bigelow, Ponsonby, to Felicia Ann Tremain, eldest daughter of J. C. Robinson, Ponsonby.' BUTCHER-MITCHELL.-On January 11, at the Registry Office, Auckland, Henry Samuel Butcher, of Coalwater, Mississippi, to Violet Mitchell, late of Whangarei. Sailed the same day for America.. FINLAYSON - CARGO.-At St. JamesChurch, Auckland," by the Rev. R. F. Macnicol, assisted by the Rev. T. F. Robertson, John Maclennan, eldest son of the late Roderick Fiidayson, of Dunedin, to Millie, j second daughter of the late David Cargo, of Auckland. ■ FOX—CHEYNE.—On December 18, 1901, at the residence of the bride's brother-in-law. Mr. W. Henry, Mary-street, Mount Eden, by the Rev. 11. Kelly, Even Llewelluyn, fourth son of the late Benjamin Fox, Waimate, Canterbury, to Ellen Steven, second daughter of John Cheyne, of Matahura, Waikato. j GORRIE-STOREY.—On December 18, 1901, at St. Paul's, Rangiaohia, by the Rev. F. Latter, Morton, eldest son of Win. Gorrie, Auckland, to Barbara, second daughter of C, J. Storey, " Woodstock," Waikato. HEMUS—SCOTT.-On December 17, 1901, at St. Thomas' Church. Auckland, by the Rev. W. M. Du Rieu. Harry Hellier, son of the late-• John Hem us, of Auckland, to Agnes Marshall, third daughter of Captain Thomas Scott, of Auckland. ■ <.- ->■.■ lIAEEIS—CARTER.—On Monday, December 30, 1901. at St. Paul's Church, Auckland, New Zealand, by the Rev. Canon Nelson, Claud Kendal Whittingham, eldest son of the. late Captain Walter Norman Harris, of RamsI gate, England, to Alice Alexandria (Tusie), | second daughter of George Carter, Esq., of Auckland.' HENRY—SCHELAND.—On December 23,1901, at the Presbyterian Church, Mercury Bay, by the Rev. Harrison. Thomas, William Henry, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Neil Henry, of Mercury Bay,'to Annie Scheland, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. Scheland, Mercury Bay. HUTCHISON-LEIGHTON.-On December 4, 1901. at All Saints' Church, Ponsonby, by - Archdeacon Calder, James 11., youngest son of W. Hutchison, to Eva A., fourth daughter of J. F. Leighton; both of Ponsonby. . JOHNSON-LORD.-On i January 7, 1902. at St. Matthew's Church, Auckland, by the Rev. W. E. Gillam. Percy James Bell, second and only surviving son of Lavinia M. and Henry Dunbar Johnson, Esq.,,- Judge Native ' Lands Court, To Aroha, and formerly Government Agent at Eotoraa, to Hilda Mary, eldest daughter of Elizabeth : and Samm*! Joseph Lord, settler, Howick. Auckland, , *

;„,.,',,-„'■, m AY-MEYER Jariuan '-5. it tW ■' 1 Wairere, Paparoa, Wesleyan Otatcb, by tffi ; 1 Rev. P. T. Read, John.' youngest son, of th» '■'■& ; late , James Keay, 55 of Mareretu, Kaipar.% +0 I Julia Victoria, eldest U daughter .?:; oit Alfred ' A. Meyer,: of Wairere, Paparoa. Kaipara, and I eldest grand-daughter of the Into p a* ! Meyer, Esq., Norwood, Adelaide, South -An*" , i tralia. ~- --' , "." '• ■... '..{ LICHTENSTEIN-LEWIS.-On' January a • I 1902, at ; ; the Synagogue, Princes-street, Ait c £ land, by the Rev. S. A. ?; Goldstein, Max. younger. son of;the late Joseph-Liohtenstein ■ :> l' • M.D., of Germany, to Hilda Violetta, fifth ■-' < daughter of Gabriel Lewis, Esq., Auckland.■ ■-* B ;K MACGBEG OR-BL AKELY.-On November 11, at the Australian Church,, Melbourne, 1 ; - ' the Rev. Dr. Strong, D.D., Leslie am » Gregor,: youngest ; surviving.; son ;of James Macgregor, Cootamundra, N.S.W., to Maneldest daughter -i of Alexander Blake]'/ ' Prahran, Melbourne. * : MATHESON-PORTER,-On December 1-, 1901. at the residence of the-bride's parent's* Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland, by the Rev; G. H. Barrett, Norman,; fifth son of Norman Matheson, Vermont-street, Ponsonby to Sarita Mabel, : second ' daughter of George Porter. Great North Road. Auckland. *.*! ' MEIKLE.TOHN - MURRAY.-On - November : 20, at tho residence •of the bride's mother Auckland, by the Rev. R. McKinney, Robert J. S., eldest son of the late James Meiklejoha of Big Omaha, to Margaret E. (Cissie). eldest daughter of the late Hugh Murray, of Kuao, tunu. :, -■■■.■.■:■■■■■(■•■■,.: PATON-PARSONS.—On December 28. io-,i "' at the residence of the bride's parents i'<* the Rev. John Wiikins, John,, second sou or the late Thomas Pa ton, Epsom, to Er,«o elder daughter of E. B. Parsons., .- * ' PHILLIPS-NATHAN.-On January 15 at the Synagogue, by the Rev. S. A. Goldstein' Alfred Henry, third son of; Louis Phillip,'Esq., " Orwell," Potts' Point, Sydney, to Julia, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur * H. Nathan, ; " Pembridge," Princes-street Auckland. * PATERSON-CARTER.-On December 18 ; 1901, at All Saints' Church, by the Yen. Arch.* '■ deacon Caldev, Andrew McNeil, second son of John Patcrson, Ponsonby, to Georgeaca - i Burton, third daughter of the late Edmund Carter, Clyde, Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. POOLE—REES,—On>, December 31, 1901, at the ] residence of the bride's parents. George-street Mount Roskill, by tho Rev. W. Gray Dixon,' M.A., Winifred Evangaline Lloyd Rees. daughter of John Rees, Pembrokeshire. Wales, to Matthew■! L. G. Poole, of County Wexford, Ireland. - ':/..;,., . | RAMSAY-COX.-On December 10, 1901, at Trinity Cathedral, Shanghai, China, by the .' i Rev. 11. C. Hodges. A., Hugh E.. older son | of tho lato Hugh Ramsay, of Hankow, to Elsie Lavater, youngest daughter of William Cox, George-street, Mount Roskill, Auckland, SMITH.—On December 24, 1901, at St. ; Matthew's Church, Auckland, by the Rev. W. E. Gillam, Thomas Matthew, second son of Thomas Snow, of Waihi. to Alice Maud, third daughter of Henry James Smith, of Franklin Road, Auckland. - •' TOWNLEY—INCE.-On Wednesday, January 8, at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney, N.S.W., by the Rev. J. Read, Walter, fourth son of the late Thomas Townley. of . Crewe, Cheshire. England, to Lilian Flora, third daughter of P. G. Ince; Esq., A.M.1.G.E., :lateSf| j of Lands 1 and Survey Department, Auckland, and niece of the late Captain Chas. McPher- | son, of the 67th Regiment of Foot, also Cap- j| tain Donald McPherson, of the 42nd Black Ugl j Watch. ■■■■' THOMAS—WILKIN.—On December 28, 1901, I at St. Mary's Church, Merivalo,Chrislckurcl\, Iby the Rev. H. Aircy Watson, Rees Goring i Thomas, of Auckland, eldest son of the * late Captain W. E. Thomas, H.M.'s „ 26th Regiment, ■ to Edith Mary Wilkin, eldest daughter of J, 0. Wilkin, Esq., of Carlton Mill Road, Meri. vale, Christchurch. 1 " TURNER-NELSON.-On January 21, at the f ; Congregational Manse, Auckland, by the Rev.' "'■- ]J. Wilkins, Anthony Turner, of Mareretu, to .., j 1 Janet A. Nelson, of Waterbeck, Dumfrieshire. UPFOLD—COONEY.—On December 30, 1901, . at the residence of the bride's mother, Whangarata, by the Rev. Father Ahern. Robert I William Upfold, of Waikino, to Catherine Cooney, of Whangarata, Waikato. • j FERGUSON.— January 21, at I " The Carlton," by the Rev. D. McNicol, Kris- j tian Wille, eldest son of Colonel J. A. Wille. R.E., Kristiania, Norway, to Lavinia Hill (Vida), youngest daughter of the late David, I Ferguson, shipowner, Dundee, Scotland. Wel- I lington papers please copy. . -. ,■■.,".'">■■ WRIGHT-FISHER.-On January 8, 1902, at 1 Holy Trinity Church, Avonside, Christchurch. by the .' Rev. Canon Pascoe, Fortunatus : Eve- , ■ 1 lyn, sixth son of F. E. Wright, "Avonside, to g Winifred Ellen, second daughter of R. Hill 1 Fisher, Christchurch. .•;•': \ ■ . GOLDEN WEDDING. HAMES—On December 2£,, ■ 1851, , I at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, I Ledbury, England, by the Rev. Mr.Watt, 1 Rector, Charles Hames, late of Cotgrave, ■ i Nottinghamshire, to Mary, eldest daughter of j I the late Richard Maddox, of Ledbury. - : , ■':'". ; '__ ' , I DEATHS. :.;■. '. ; -'-|| ALISON.—On December 30, at her late.i'«!« - j dence, Waipu, after great suffering, Catherine , L widow of the Tlato Duncan Alison, aged (0 : 1 years. ; Peaceful be thy slumber, mother, " Peaceful in thy grave so low, Thou no more will join our number . On this earth here below Yet again I hope to meet thee, When the day of life is fled, ° , . And in Heaven with joy to greet thee ' Where no farewell tears a"re shed. —Inserted by her sorrowing daughter, V,. ,; 1 .Wells. .'.""....;..■■.;•..' ~;.,-.- •■■....-■ ■■::--,•.;. •'' '■;:"; '/^iZi " ALLUM.—On January 26, 1902, at her late '-l residence, Alexandra-street, Fanny Allum, the 1 beloved wife of James Allum, in her 65th year, ' I BULL.— January 23, 1902. at his late resi- 1 dence, "The Lilacs," Great South Road. J Epsom, John Blinman Bull, in his 73rd year. BAKER.— January 25, at Mahukan Road, Parnell, Mary Emily, the eldest daughter, of ' the late J. ,D. and E. Baker. Deeply re- | gretted. By request of deceased no mourn- •■' I ing. ! BENTON.—On January 16, 1902, at her.- residence, To Arai, Sarah Alice, dearly- beloved I wife ■of ■ Joseph Benton, jun., aged 39 years. ~ Deeply regretted. We loved thee well, But Jesus loves thee best. , Good night. .':.! GREENWAY.—On January 20, 1902, at Russell, Bay of Islands, James Hamlyn, the be- § loved husband of Mary Anne Greenway. Deeply regretted. '. ' '.',/• HILL.—On January 22, 1902, at Woodside Hospital, Walter James Hill, the beloved husband of Mary Edith Hill, aged 62 years. HILL.—On January 18, 1902, at Tiri Hospital, Elizabeth, the dearly beloved wife of ! Sidney W. Hill, of Bellwood, Mount Roskill;' aged 28 years. . " ; . ! -JOHNSTON.— January 12, 1902, at'his residence, Napier-street, Thomas, the dearly:' beloved husband of Fanny Johnston, late of ) Otahuhu, aged 62 years. . - , KIRK.—On January 24, 1902, at the Auckland Hospital, John Kirk, of Papakura, aged 58 years. f LOWNDES.—On January 23, at his residence, ■ Newmarket, Joseph, the beloved hus- .■'■• J band of Eliza Lowndes, aged 70 years. . ' - I MCISAAC— January 8, 1902, at Mercury 1 Bay, Joseph, the dearly-beloved husband of I Catherine Mclsaac, aged 47 years. Deeply regretted. ': : L | MITCHELSON.—On Saturday,- January 11, 1902, at her lato residence, Motutara, Mary/;,: A Frances, the beloved daughter of Edwin and I Sarah Mitchelson. ■ ■ • • PACEY.— January 19, at ITawera, Thomas Pacey passed peacefully to his rest, after - a lingering illness, aged 59 years. . V J PARSONS.—On December 4. 1901, at Atlanta, Ga., U.S.A., Edward Parsons, aged 89. - * ' PLUMLEY.— January 25, 1902, at her late residence, Hobson-street, Julia Ann, re- ; 1 lict of the lato E. A. Flumley. , PULLENG.—On January 26. 1902. at Railway f Hotel, Drury, Johannah, dearly beloved wife of Alfred : Pulleng and daughter of T. Ken- : 1 nelly, Pukekohe, aged 34 years. R.I.P. QUICK—On January 22, at his late resi- | dence, Parawai, Thames, Henry Nicholas, | dearly beloved husband of i Louisa Quick, aged 53 years. Private interment. •■'''■■"■:'•'l PICKENS.— her residence, Ngunguru, Annie, the beloved wife of. Thos. Pickens aged 44 years. Deeply regretted. ROBSON.— December ' 29. 1901. at Ta- ' | whare, Waikato, James Robson, of Te Arai, | Auckland, aged 77 years. <\ ROBSON.—On December 29, 1901, at the re- '' 1 sidenee of his niece, Mrs. G. Eyre, Waikato," | James (Uncle) Robson, beloved brother of | Mrs. John Brown, Te Arai, aged 77 years. SHERMAN.—On January 5, 1902, at Maropiu, I P. E. Sherman, aged 76. Deeply regretted. 1 SIMCOCK.— January 27. at Kaukapa- 1 kapa, Joseph Alexander, eldest son of C. and i A. Simcock, aged 36 years. TAYLOR— Friday, January 17, at the' '.1 Thames Hospital, Olive Catherine, dearly- I beloved daughter of Walter A. and Isabella § Taylor, of Waihou, aged 14 years. - 1 TENNENT.—On Monday, January 27, acci- ; § dentally drowned at Hamilton, Neilson, eldest f,: son of the Rev. E. C. Tennent, of Port Chal- " | mers, ' and betrothed of ' Maud, eldest ..■■,.-'« daughter of M. D. Dinneen, Mount Roskill. ,- | WILSON-SMITH.-On January 14, 1902,: at ' M Montpellier, Dunedin, suddenly, Mariana, ■ .;.■ widow of the late J. Wilson-Smith, aged 61 g years. ■ • i WILSON.-On January 18, 1902, at Mount Roskill, G.H., the beloved husband of Jessie ••; Jj Wilson, and eldest son of Mr. Adam Wilson. ffl draper. Hawera, late of Mount Eden, aged. :-i 33 years. . : '. S WOOTTON.-On January 25, at his residence. Brown-street, Ponsonby, Richard, the : H dearly-beloved husband of Annie Woottoii, a aged 43 years. .'8 " Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far ; m away. „ . .vifl In Jesu's keeping we are safe and they __ m